I've stayed at the Boardwalk many times as I own there and SSR. SSR is the resort I love when I'm with my husband. It's very relaxing and yet still has that "Disney" feel. The Boardwalk now is where we book when it's time for the F&W because of the closeness to Epcot.

Sadely, you and I just miss eachother. My friend Cee and I always miss eachother. We keep saying "One day we'll meet at the F&W".

But for now, we'll all get together and share our amazing stories right here on the DIS!

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I'm so glad you love SSR. As this will be our first trip back to WDW, technically this will be our first trip home. I'm really excited. DH loved the grounds of SSR. He found it liked you described, mellow with Disney touches.

I'd love to stay at the BWV one day. It's on my list. I'd like to try them all one day.

Did you sleep last night? I finally fell asleep about midnight and started stirring about 5:00. I'll be exhausted by the time we arrive.

You leave so soon. Have a magical trip. Can't wait to read all about it. ​

YAY!!! I made it! Can't wait for your trip and to get all the details! I have to say, your TR name is AWESOME!!!! I think it may be my new mantra!

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How was your trip? How did your family like it?

You may use the title as your mantra. Isn't it great? And true. ​

7 days until WDW!!! ​

Today's photos are of our villa and view at AKV- Jambo. We took our last trip in 2009 with our good friends, pictured in the first few posts- same friends we're meeting this trip and we stayed at AKV with them. DH says that staying DVC with them was the deciding factor for him in purchasing; getting to experience first hand how neat it is. I'll forever be grateful to them for really introducing us to DVC. I'd ordered the DVD and the 2007 beautiful hard back book and had done a little research. By the time 2009 came, I had a fair amount of knowledge. When DH asked if I wanted to take the tour at SSR, I jumped on the chance. Jenna took the kids and away we went.......2 hours later we were elated owners at SSR. They were at the pool at AKV when we came back. Such a fun night.

I swear sometimes I get notified, other times I don't. Incredibly frustrating.

Well I am amazed more at what you are planning to pack/check. Have you weighed your bag? Seems like some heavy things (pasta sauce), breakables and then "big" things (boxes of cereal).

But yeah, I found the bleach funny. I'm way too cheap to buy it to wash whites on vacation. I'd just wash them separately on hot, stain treat if needed and then bleach the heck out of them when I got home.

then again, if you are with someone like my husband...you'd use up all your stain treatment stuff on one ruined pair of shorts that were beyond fixing and then not have any for the rest of the trip.

I'm packing too. Only liquids though.

2 (small) bottles of rum.

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Cynthia, I brought your comments from the other report over here. I'm hoping that other thread gets closed. I forgot who the mod is over there to get it closed.

Do you have faucets not attached to your house? All of our secondary faucets are not attached to the house.

The GCV can be a little difficult to get into at 7 months. June was easier than November. Sending lots of pixie dust if you decide to book. I'm dying to go to CarsLand. It looks amazing.

I didn't call United as I don't have an extra 90 minutes to burn. Just getting to a live person takes a good 20 minutes. I emailed though. I'll email again and attach the original email right before we leave. It generally takes more than one attempt to get anyone to email me back. Worst customer service ever. It's our flight coming home from Orlando. Thank goodness. We're flying Southwest to Orlando so I'm not expecting any changes. I've yet to fly SW and have them change. They've ran a little late but nothing major. They're efficient like JetBlue.

That packed bag only weighs 27 lb. I can't believe it. I weighed myself. Then I weighed myself holding the bag. I'm not just a purdy face. I can't stuff another mustard packet in that thing. I'll fold the bag and pack for the flight home as we have to pay $25 per bag on United. I'm trying to fit all of our stuff in 4 checked bags and then check an empty bag for souvenirs. Chloe's best friend has saved all of her babysitting money and has quite a bit to spend. We're giving each of our kids $100. Chloe also has $150 in gift cards and her uncle, whose visiting here from CA, just have her $100 for her bat mitzvah. He missed her service in May. Chloe's also giving her siblings each $50 as Gabby gave them each $50 from her bat mitzvah money during our last trip to Disneyland. It's their "thing". I love that they're generous with each other.

I have to wash my whites in bleach. I'm not a clean freak by any means but they just don't feel clean to me if they haven't been bleached. Joshua is like Jeff, he'd use a bottle of stain remover on one stain.

Only liquids? Rum! You can pack booze? Is it in plastic? Do you out in a ziplock first? How do you pack it? I'm going to pack some rum too. ​

Cynthia, I brought your comments from the other report over here. I'm hoping that other thread gets closed. I forgot who the mod is over there to get it closed.

Do you have faucets not attached to your house? All of our secondary faucets are not attached to the house.

The GCV can be a little difficult to get into at 7 months. June was easier than November. Sending lots of pixie dust if you decide to book. I'm dying to go to CarsLand. It looks amazing.

I didn't call United as I don't have an extra 90 minutes to burn. Just getting to a live person takes a good 20 minutes. I emailed though. I'll email again and attach the original email right before we leave. It generally takes more than one attempt to get anyone to email me back. Worst customer service ever. It's our flight coming home from Orlando. Thank goodness. We're flying Southwest to Orlando so I'm not expecting any changes. I've yet to fly SW and have them change. They've ran a little late but nothing major. They're efficient like JetBlue.

That packed bag only weighs 27 lb. I can't believe it. I weighed myself. Then I weighed myself holding the bag. I'm not just a purdy face. I can't stuff another mustard packet in that thing. I'll fold the bag and pack for the flight home as we have to pay $25 per bag on United. I'm trying to fit all of our stuff in 4 checked bags and then check an empty bag for souvenirs. Chloe's best friend has saved all of her babysitting money and has quite a bit to spend. We're giving each of our kids $100. Chloe also has $150 in gift cards and her uncle, whose visiting here from CA, just have her $100 for her bat mitzvah. He missed her service in May. Chloe's also giving her siblings each $50 as Gabby gave them each $50 from her bat mitzvah money during our last trip to Disneyland. It's their "thing". I love that they're generous with each other.

I have to wash my whites in bleach. I'm not a clean freak by any means but they just don't feel clean to me if they haven't been bleached. Joshua is like Jeff, he'd use a bottle of stain remover on one stain.

Only liquids? Rum! You can pack booze? Is it in plastic? Do you out in a ziplock first? How do you pack it? I'm going to pack some rum too.

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As long as you check it, yep you can pack booze. Hopefully both bottles will be plastic. I've only bought one of the 2 I need so far as the other one was glass. I will probably have to get it though as the options in the 375 ml are limited. I bubble wrap and out in a ziploc.

Nope, no faucets not attached to the house.

Very cool the kids share like that. I actually found $100 to be more ha they needed so we scaled it down on the last trip a little as once they added in money from grandparents they all had a lot to spend, more than they needed. I think we did 60 on the last trip but aren't positive.

I'm flying United to LA and SF in under a month. Booked my ticket a couple of days ago and had issues with the on-line booking system.

Actually, the on-line booking system had an issue with me.

Anyway....the Australian office was closed and because it involved a lot of $$$, I ended up calling the US office to get my issue sorted out.

*Only* took me 8 minutes to get to a real person.

*Only* took them another 5 minutes to sort it out.

My problem? I was paying international call rates for that time.

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I'm glad you got through in a short amount of time. DH travels to Africa and international rates are scary. Even with a toll free 800 do you he charged for international? I'm happy you got it sorted out.

Have you been to SF before? It's such a great town. And LA, Los Angeles? Are you going to Disneyland? ​

Have you been to SF before? It's such a great town. And LA, Los Angeles? Are you going to Disneyland? [/CENTER]

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I can answer this! PIO is a SF expert, she has a whole thread on visiting SF and CA on the Aussie section. In fact she's probably been to more places than me, and I have and I've lived here over 30 years! Her hubby works for a company there so she gets to tag along often.

And you think she is not going to Disneyland????? Who do you think she is staying with for the So Cal portion of her Aussie mad dash! Can you say girls weekend!

As far as packing adult beverages, I've done it for years. I usually pack a couple bottles of wine for a short trip and the longer ones, I've packed some of the Black Box or other wines. I've never had a bottle break or any problems. The only time I had an issue was when I brought some cooking sherry in a resealable container in a plastic bag. That leaked and my Sczechwan Chicken wasn't quite as tangy as I wanted it to be, but if the seal hasn't been broken on the bottle, it's usually fine.

I can answer this! PIO is a SF expert, she has a whole thread on visiting SF and CA on the Aussie section. In fact she's probably been to more places than me, and I have and I've lived here over 30 years! Her hubby works for a company there so she gets to tag along often.

And you think she is not going to Disneyland????? Who do you think she is staying with for the So Cal portion of her Aussie mad dash! Can you say girls weekend!

As far as packing adult beverages, I've done it for years. I usually pack a couple bottles of wine for a short trip and the longer ones, I've packed some of the Black Box or other wines. I've never had a bottle break or any problems. The only time I had an issue was when I brought some cooking sherry in a resealable container in a plastic bag. That leaked and my Sczechwan Chicken wasn't quite as tangy as I wanted it to be, but if the seal hasn't been broken on the bottle, it's usually fine.

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I'm going to have to check out her thread. Michael and Joshua will be going to SF in Dec. for a Raiders game. Michael grew up in Sacto and has been to SF many times but hasn't been in about 10 years.

I figured she's going to Disneyland. I was hoping she'd be going. Are you going too? That's going to be a FUN girls' weekend. Lucky girl!!! Are you ladies doing the Halloween party?

Do I need to pack it in anything special? I'd love to bring some whipped cherry vodka. Of course I'll have to add either Diet Pepsi to my GG order or a 2 liter to my PDS order. I'm generally not a cherry fan but whipped cherry vodka is delicious. ​

As long as you check it, yep you can pack booze. Hopefully both bottles will be plastic. I've only bought one of the 2 I need so far as the other one was glass. I will probably have to get it though as the options in the 375 ml are limited. I bubble wrap and out in a ziploc.

Nope, no faucets not attached to the house.

Very cool the kids share like that. I actually found $100 to be more ha they needed so we scaled it down on the last trip a little as once they added in money from grandparents they all had a lot to spend, more than they needed. I think we did 60 on the last trip but aren't positive.

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Bubble wrap is a great idea. I'd be afraid my clothes would end up smelling like a distillery if I didn't super wrap it. What kind of rum are you bringing?

No secondary then.

I'd love to scale back and I'm hoping they don't spend it all. Chloe will spend whatever she can get her tiny little fists on. Gabby won't buy Disney stuff but once she's in DTD, it's all over. Joshua would spend his savings account on vinylmation if we allowed it. Funny thing is that they really use/play with all the stuff they buy. That makes it less painful for sure. They've both packed their Sorcerer and Dale hats that they bought from our Disneyland 2011 trip. They're also bringing their Yoda and Yeti backpacks. Gabby won't bring a plush this year but she's all over her pins still.

I gave them all of those eBay pins. They had enough to make them all one full trading lanyard. They had enough to make Mikayla one too. ​

Saturday 10/13:
- arrive WDW, stay AoA one night, swim, food court at AoA which is supposed to be varied and tasty. So excited! Now that we're arriving at MCO at 4:30, we'll have time to swim. I really want to hear the underwater sound effects. Such a cool feature. We may do MK's EMH that night as they'll be open until midnight but we'll see how everyone is feeling.

As previously stated, there seems to be no viable option from SLC to MCO without stopping or breaking open the piggy bank. Our flight takes off from SLC, we have a 90 minute layover with a plane change in Vegas and then were off to Orlando. I'm glad we've got the stop early in the flight. Vegas to SLC is a very short flight. It'll be nice to get a little more settled on the longer flight. Plus who doesn't lve Vegas? Even at the airport I can play a few slots. I once won $200 on the quarter machines. Souvenirs for all my friends.

Sunday 10/14:
- breakfast at AoA
- check out and into THV
- MK, CS
- 50s PT all 11 of us
- MGM for EMH

Thurs 10/18:
- sleep in
- DIS meet at 1:30? I'm going to try
- BBQ tri tip before MK, all 11 of us
- MK MNSSHP, fireworks and parade along with trick or treating. I'd also like to get the magic ghost and carriage Photopass shots.

Cynthia out together a group of us who are sharing Photopass. It's only costing $21 a person. Thank you, thanks you Cynthia for putting this together.

Wed 10/24:
- pack
- cry
- check out
- Boma for a late breakfast or DTD for an early lunch depending on if United messes with our flights again.
-United home.

Remember I got the flight for $125 each and got to use the $325 in credits? When you hear the flight home, you may thing I'm nuts. We fly MCO to Pensacola in a puddle jumper. Like a 16 seater. Then we fly Pensacola to Ohare. Then we fly Ohare to SLC. I'm going to become my own patient after that flight. ​

Omg I didn't realize that was your return. Did the united time change mess with any of the connections?

I hope you can make the meet, it's some seriously cool peeps. I love that they filled a lanyard for Kayla. The e's have given me a list and some pins for me to try to trade for on their behalf.

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There is a good chance we won't make our connection in Ohare now. That's when I'll lose it. I'm trying not to lose it now. Michael says 38 minutes, if the flight is on time, is plenty of time to make the connection. Ohare is a madhouse. Chloe's friend has a flight home from Utah at 10 the next morning so we'll see. I've got the therapist thats working for me on stand by to work 10/25. Originally I was going to work the day after but if we get stuck in Ohare like I think we will, I won't.

The meet is on my agenda. Michael will come too most likely. We're planning on being to MNSSHP by 6:00, maybe earlier but not by much. If we're back to the THV by 3:30, that gives us plenty of time to grill and get to MK by 6:00 I think. ​

There is a good chance we won't make our connection in Ohare now. That's when I'll lose it. I'm trying not to lose it now. Michael says 38 minutes, if the flight is on time, is plenty of time to make the connection. Ohare is a madhouse. Chloe's friend has a flight home from Utah at 10 the next morning so we'll see. I've got the therapist thats working for me on stand by to work 10/25. Originally I was going to work the day after but if we get stuck in Ohare like I think we will, I won't.

The meet is on my agenda. Michael will come too most likely. We're planning on being to MNSSHP by 6:00, maybe earlier but not by much. If we're back to the THV by 3:30, that gives us plenty of time to grill and get to MK by 6:00 I think.

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All depends on the gate. It is doable but way risky.

When in June are you thinking for Cali?

I really want to meet Michael and hope he comes. He will not be the only guy. For sure at least 2 other DH's and maybe 3. I wish Jeff could meet him. I can't remember if the other one will have arrived yet. I totally want some hitchhiking ghost pics, super happy with how the photo pass share played out, total score for all of us

I'm glad you got through in a short amount of time. DH travels to Africa and international rates are scary. Even with a toll free 800 do you he charged for international? I'm happy you got it sorted out.

Have you been to SF before? It's such a great town. And LA, Los Angeles? Are you going to Disneyland? ​

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I paid for the international call. The toll-free number only applies from within the US.

Yes, been to both SF and LA before. SF is one of my favourite cities in the world.

I can answer this! PIO is a SF expert, she has a whole thread on visiting SF and CA on the Aussie section. In fact she's probably been to more places than me, and I have and I've lived here over 30 years! Her hubby works for a company there so she gets to tag along often.

And you think she is not going to Disneyland????? Who do you think she is staying with for the So Cal portion of her Aussie mad dash! Can you say girls weekend!

When you hear the flight home, you may thing I'm nuts. We fly MCO to Pensacola in a puddle jumper. Like a 16 seater. Then we fly Pensacola to Ohare. Then we fly Ohare to SLC. I'm going to become my own patient after that flight. ​

I really want to meet Michael and hope he comes. He will not be the only guy. For sure at least 2 other DH's and maybe 3. I wish Jeff could meet him. I can't remember if the other one will have arrived yet. I totally want some hitchhiking ghost pics, super happy with how the photo pass share played out, total score for all of us

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Ideally the third week in June. My kids go to camp at the end of June/early July for two weeks. If not June then August but I'll tell ya, this will be the last extended trip we take during the school year. Chloe is having a heck of a time keeping up and she's at school. I've been in contact with her teachers and they don't seem worried. She's been attending the after school tutoring 1-2 times a week and knows she'll have to go daily until her work is complete. We've asked multiple times for work and the teachers have been non responsive. She did finish a power point that's due 10/30. She's got a book report due 10/30 as we'll and insists she'll read the book on the plane. I know you know from experience that doesn't always pan out. She started the book this weekend. I'll be crossing my fingers. She's not purposely forgetful. One of the s/e of both of her medications is forgetfulness. And believe me, she forgets.

Oh yeah, where was I? The third week in June. I'm too that overwhelmed pre-trip psyched out feeling.

Yeah, it's doable but it's a bootable flight according to United. Remind me not to fly them again regardless of the credit I receive for this flight.

Michael will go if I go. He'll want to. He thinks I'm a dork but my judgement is good. He won't want to miss out. It's at Rosé and Crown right? Is there an ADR or do they have a bar? Jenna and Nate may come too. Jenna and I got to know each other here before meeting and that turned out spectacularly. We're great friends. ​

I think the decorations stay up until the week after Halloween. I know the NBC overlay does. Wonder why WDW doesn't do the overlay? It's a huge hit with my family.

for the link. I'm very serious about needing SF help. As soon as we get back from WDW, I'll begin that planning. Right now they've got their flights into Oakland. No nonstops for a decent price from SLC to SF. Oakland is just as easy per DH.

I'm the only one in my family who hates to fly. They're all stoked for the puddle jumper. I'm going to need some Ativan. And they'll be booze involved too. I think we've got some SW drink coupons. I'm doubtful we'll make our connection but DH swears we will. He made a 30 minute connection in Heathrow and says anything is possible. He's the Pollyana when it comes to travel. The rest of our life, it's me.

I think our plans look good too. We're a little bummed about Test Track being closed. I know one attraction doesn't make a park but Future World's main attraction, for us, is Test Track. We love Soarin' but always do it in CA too so it doesn't produce the same level of excitement as TT does. Nemo is cute. My crew thinks their too old for Turtle Talk. Love Spaceship Earth but I can't get them to ride it more than once, maybe twice a trip. Mission Space isn't our favorite. Innoventions is good for when it's raining. I know some people love it and maybe I haven't given it a proper chance? Hmm.....what am I missing? Figment, Ellen, Land ride....... ​

I think the decorations stay up until the week after Halloween. I know the NBC overlay does. Wonder why WDW doesn't do the overlay? It's a huge hit with my family.

for the link. I'm very serious about needing SF help. As soon as we get back from WDW, I'll begin that planning. Right now they've got their flights into Oakland. No nonstops for a decent price from SLC to SF. Oakland is just as easy per DH.

I'll go check out your pre-trippie too but I don't see a link.

Disney-girls Friday? How fun! What have you got planned? ​

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Oakland is just the other side of the bay to the Downtown SF area. I've only flown in via SFO and there is the BART that takes you into the Downtown area. If you're hiring a car, it will make very little difference which airport you fly into.

Quick links on the second post. And you should be able to catch up real quick if you just focus on the 2012 trip. I just posted our itinerary and plans for what we will be doing, and it includes our Girl Friday FunDay.

Ideally the third week in June. My kids go to camp at the end of June/early July for two weeks. If not June then August but I'll tell ya, this will be the last extended trip we take during the school year. Chloe is having a heck of a time keeping up and she's at school. I've been in contact with her teachers and they don't seem worried. She's been attending the after school tutoring 1-2 times a week and knows she'll have to go daily until her work is complete. We've asked multiple times for work and the teachers have been non responsive. She did finish a power point that's due 10/30. She's got a book report due 10/30 as we'll and insists she'll read the book on the plane. I know you know from experience that doesn't always pan out. She started the book this weekend. I'll be crossing my fingers. She's not purposely forgetful. One of the s/e of both of her medications is forgetfulness. And believe me, she forgets.

Oh yeah, where was I? The third week in June. I'm too that overwhelmed pre-trip psyched out feeling.

Yeah, it's doable but it's a bootable flight according to United. Remind me not to fly them again regardless of the credit I receive for this flight.

Michael will go if I go. He'll want to. He thinks I'm a dork but my judgement is good. He won't want to miss out. It's at Rosé and Crown right? Is there an ADR or do they have a bar? Jenna and Nate may come too. Jenna and I got to know each other here before meeting and that turned out spectacularly. We're great friends.
.......

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ugh on school and non responsive teachers. We had issues with that in 2009.

No ADR at Rose and crown, plan is to meet in the bar. Definitely bring Jenna and Nate!

Jeff is the same way, thinks I'm a dork but is excited about the meet and our costumes even though he won't be there. We don't get out of school till the 3rd week in June. Wah!

Oakland is just the other side of the bay to the Downtown SF area. I've only flown in via SFO and there is the BART that takes you into the Downtown area. If you're hiring a car, it will make very little difference which airport you fly into.

Quick links on the second post. And you should be able to catch up real quick if you just focus on the 2012 trip. I just posted our itinerary and plans for what we will be doing, and it includes our Girl Friday FunDay.

Hope to see you there!

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I found it. Your plans look really terrific and I like how you're not trying to do too much. Your must do list is very doable. Here is the link to my friend's blog. He lives in SF and is a huge Walt Disney fan. He's a great writer too. He's a super neat guy. http://www.thedisneyproject.com/​

ugh on school and non responsive teachers. We had issues with that in 2009.

No ADR at Rose and crown, plan is to meet in the bar. Definitely bring Jenna and Nate!

Jeff is the same way, thinks I'm a dork but is excited about the meet and our costumes even though he won't be there. We don't get out of school till the 3rd week in June. Wah!

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We're just going to do our best. This is Chloe's trip and I defeinelty don't want her mind filled with worry about school. We'll hit it hard when we return and we've done what we can in preparation for her to leave.

Our June aren't set by any means. Jenna et al are thinking of driving out here from PA so it'll be dependent on their dates too. They plan ahead but not in the same nutty way I do. We'd like to then head up the coast and do the Big Tree Tour aka the Redwoods. Michael has been wanting to do that for a few years.

Today is my last non-working day before the trip. I have so much on my plate today and the next 6 days. Aside from taking Joshua to and from Hebrew school, which is an hour round trip, I've got to: go to the Apple store and get my iPhone fixed. My new iPhone no less. Once I downloaded iOS6, I've been unable to move my wifi button to the on position. I've literally had the phone a week and this happened the first day I got it. The only store is in SLC. I made an appointment for 1:00 today. I think the kids are going to try to talk us into seeing Frankenweenie. I really want to see it but don't have time for a flick today. We also need to get Joshua's hair trimmed, grocery store, organize my crazy work week, and finally clean. My house needs a good scrubbing.

DH works the next 4 days; two 12's and then a 48* at the FD. And no, none of its over time. They're shift trades for his multiple trips to Africa. He's now paying back.

This week I've still got to cancel the milk delivery, stop the mail, send in some financial forms for our LLC, work, we've got soccer, dance, and tumbling every night. On Tuesday and Thursday all 3 kids have activities. Combine all that with the pretrip jitters and basically I'm a mess. A happy, excited mess, but a mess non the less I've still got Ridemax itineraries to create and print (even though the end up at the bottom of bag after lunch, I like to have them) and organize our travel and hotel documents. We get Chloe's friend on Friday about 4:00 and take the dogs to the kennel. The girls want to get their nails done (painted). We're supposed to go to services for our friends' DD's bat mitzvah on Friday night but they live an hour away. The service will be no less than 90 minutes. We're also helping them set up chairs for the local service on Friday morning. We'll miss her actual bat mitzvah service as its Saturday night.